Read a full match report of the first Test between New Zealand and England at
Eden Park, Auckland on Saturday, June 7, 2014

Eden Park was rocked to its foundations as England came agonisingly close to demolishing New Zealand’s unbeaten 20-year record at their rugby citadel. It may seem trite on D-Day commemorative weekend to speak of handing out medals for gallantry but there was little doubt that the performance of an under-strength England side was heroic.

They unsettled the world champions with the ferocity of their defence, the clout and cleverness of their set-piece and their willingness to go for broke. That it all came to naught cannot, of course, be ignored. So many have tried at this venue, and so many have perished. England are in that ledger, too, second best in the history books. It will hurt but that was the reality.

New Zealand are masters of the resurrection act. As they did against Ireland in November, they once again rolled back the stone and came back from the dead, claiming victory when England were reduced to 14 men, scoring the only try of an absorbing evening two minutes from time when that peerless centre, Conrad Smith, saw an opportunity on the narrow side and took it.

Champion sides have nerve when it matters, character when under duress, a sense of themselves that ensures that they back each other to deliver at the key time. So it was with Aaron Cruden’s brazen tap penalty. Everyone else in the ground imagined that the fly-half would go for goal with the scores tied at 15-15.

Not Cruden. It was that one single moment of daring that created the situation from where the match-clinching try came. Even Richie McCaw, the All Blacks captain, admitted that he was about to point to the posts when Cruden produced his little gem. Bold or bonkers? The answer lay on the scoreboard.

England were guilty of dropping their guard but they were already scrambling to cover most eventualities as they were a man short. They had given so much of themselves that there was a certain inevitability about the All Blacks’ late, late show. After all, it has been a long-running production.

They will not take too much succour themselves for their valiant efforts. They are well aware that a team that takes satisfaction from being a courageous loser is one that will invariably end up second best. They will also be aware that both France and Ireland have come close to beating New Zealand in recent years only to get smashed in the next test.

England have to execute better. They fluffed two half-chances through over-eagerness and were unlucky not to see Ben Smith, the New Zealand wing, sent to the sin bin for preventing a scorer after wing Jonny May had regathered the ball after a deft grubber through towards the try-line.

There was no disputing the merit of the yellow card later awarded against Marland Yarde for hanging on to the ball after he had chased down All Black lock, Brodie Retallick, but it was galling for England that a similar offence at the other end of the field ten minutes earlier had not seen New Zealand reduced to 14 men.

On such margins are series won and lost. England were worthy and resilient but they know that tries have to be scored if the All Blacks are to be toppled. There was plenty of grit and energy on show, from the indefatigable Chris Robshaw and his two willing lieutenants in the back-row, James Haskell and Ben Morgan. The Gloucester No 8 has understudied Billy Vunipola but on this showing he will be hard to dislodge for the second Test.

The forwards did a sterling job. Hooker, Rob Webber, was playing his first game in almost two months after injury, was flawlessly crisp with his lineout throwing and solid in the scrummage where England had the upper hand. England have nothing to fear in the two remaining tests from the All Black pack.

It comes to something when Richie McCaw scarcely warrants mention but that is how effective England were at the breakdown. Robshaw was boss of his domain.

There had been real concern that England might wilt down the 10-12 channel. Instead both the fly-half Freddie Burns and centre Kyle Eastmond thrived. There were tantalising glimpses of the dash and devil that they can bring to proceedings, one switch-back step-and-go for Eastmond in particular opening up the field midway through the second half after a thunderous break from a defensive five-metre scrum from Morgan.

Burns’s form was a revelation to everyone except himself and the England management. His game had been fickle all season yet here he was masterly in his goal-kicking, shrewd in his options and a bulwark defensively even with the mountainous Ma’a Nonu headed his way.

“I hope I have silenced a few critics although I never doubted myself,” Burns said. “I had a point to prove. This is a big step forward for me and for the team.”

The All Blacks showed little of the surging, imperious form that had taken them through 2013 unbeaten. England, though, managed to put several dents in their armour, forcing them into uncharacteristic errors. Several balls were spilled, either in contact or when fielding kicks.

There was no flow to their back line play, proving that they are as vulnerable as any others if they can be pressed. Time and again, England showed that the opposition were mortal after all. Eden Park was like a church for much of the game, the worshippers stunned into silence by the ineptitude of their supposed Gods.

England set the tone from the first whistle, Robshaw crashing forward with Nonu fortunate that he did not get yellow for a tug on the supporting James Haskell. Robshaw was involved again when England had their best chance ten minutes later, Eastmond just being snared near the try line. The goal kickers held sway, with Cruden and Burns both on the money.

New Zealand’s best chance came early in the second half when No 8 Jerome Kaino fumbled with the line only inches away.

England ought to have been more adept at closing out the game, playing deeper. Instead their own mistakes, be it Ben Youngs losing concentration and allowing Retallick to run free, or Henry Thomas getting into difficulties in helping cede the penalty from where Cruden produced the rabbit from the hat.

On such instances does the pendulum swing. Advantage New Zealand but the series is very much alive.